As I mentioned before, back in the 70's and 80's America was still basking in the glow of the post Fischer era, USCF membership was well over 100,000. Now the USCF struggles to maintain 80,00 members (many of them children who drop out soon after joining) and I think I found out why. How can chess compete with this? DISCLAIMER: Any females exploring these links WILL be offended.

Originally posted by @mchillAs I mentioned before, back in the 70's and 80's America was still basking in the glow of the post Fischer era, USCF membership was well over 100,000. Now the USCF struggles to maintain 80,00 members (many of them children who drop out soon after joining) and I think I found out why. How can chess compete with this? DISCLAIMER: Any females exploring these li ...[text shortened]... com/watch?v=2E7H9QwBiss

He was star like tal, but the average audience didn't grasp neither of them as chess players, people was (were? I'll never learn and am lazy to google now) fascinated by combinations and eyes (in Tal's case) and with the fact that an American can put Soviet domination in danger.

Perhaps good advertising gurus can help chess to come in public focus again.

You're all missing the obvious. THE INTERNET! Saying that chess isn't as popular as it was in the 80's because USCF membership is down is the equivalent of saying that music isn't as popular as it was in the 80's because record sales are down. Chess is vastly more popular than it ever was before and much more international as well. A lot more money is being put into prize funds too.

He was star like tal, but the average audience didn't grasp neither of them as chess players, people was (were? I'll never learn and am lazy to google now) fascinated by combinations and eyes (in Tal's case) and with the fact that an American can put Soviet ...[text shortened]... ation in danger.

Perhaps good advertising gurus can help chess to come in public focus again.

Was is singular were is plural.

He was...

They were....

People were...

As for chess I wasn't really interested in it during the 70s. I am not sure what can make it popular.

Of course, plural.
During sixties poets were popular like rock stars. And chess players. Around Reykiavik match, I remember in Belgrade were several outdoors marathon mega duels between Fischer's fans against Spassky's fans. Kids and old people together were playing, and there was a re-match and a re-re-match! Thousands! Tens of thousands.
Even for candidates final in 1978 between Spassky and Korchnoi it was impossible to get the ticket to watch games live. All radio stations covered the match and of course state TV station.